Next Level Supply Chain with GS1 US

Hosted by GS1 US

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100

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Sep 2026

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Take your supply chain game to the next level with GS1 US! Join our favorite supply chain experts, Reid and Liz, as they share secrets, stories, insights, and expertise on a broad spectrum of hot-button topics – from barcodes to artificial intelligence, and everything in between. Our hosts will answer questions like: What's next in supply chain automation and innovation? Will the next generation of 2D barcodes revolutionize commerce and machine learning? How does the simple concept of scanning at checkout contribute to the next level of transparency for consumers? How will intelligent automation – like, robots serving us cocktails for example - compete with our human intelligence? Take a deep dive with us in exploring these and other mind-bending topics about how the unique identification of everything makes anything possible.

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October 21, 2026Episode 12536 min

How the cold chain and restaurants are preparing for FSMA 204

Food traceability is no longer just a regulatory checkbox. It is a complex challenge that touches every link in the supply chain, from cold storage warehouses to the neighborhood restaurant. In this episode, Reid and Liz Sertl welcome Amanda Brondy from the Global Cold Chain Alliance and Patrick Guzzle from the National Restaurant Association to explore how their members are preparing for FSMA 204 and the distinct challenges each organization faces as the compliance deadline draws closer. The conversation covers the lack of standardization across data systems and why that creates confusion for third-party logistics providers juggling multiple customers with different requirements. Amanda explains how cold chain operators often lack contractual relationships with the suppliers they are being asked to share data with, while Patrick highlights the gap between federal regulation and the thousands of local health departments that inspect restaurants. The guests also discuss the traceability plan as a practical starting point, FDA's surprising level of engagement through the Partnership for Food Traceability, and why awareness remains one of the biggest hurdles for small and family-owned businesses across the country. This is more than a conversation about a regulation. It is a look at how two very different parts of the food supply chain are navigating the same deadline with different tools, different relationships, and a shared commitment to safer food In this episode, you'll learn: How lack of data standardization creates different challenges for cold chain operators and restaurant operators Why a written traceability plan is one of the most practical first steps toward compliance How FDA engagement through the Partnership for Food Traceability is helping industry find its way forward Things to listen for: (00:00) Intro (03:29) Three concerns from cold chain members (08:14) Cyclospora outbreak and restaurant exposure (10:54) State food code adoption lag (12:39) Third-party logistics and regulatory blind spots (18:07) FDA engagement through PFT (23:03) Traceability plan as a starting point (25:38) Traceability versus recall (30:00) A Beautiful Mind and supply chain complexity (32:58) Favorite tech and closing thoughts Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Connect with the speakers: Amanda Brondy on LinkedIn Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) at https://www.gcca.org/ Patrick Guzzle on LinkedIn National Restaurant Association at https://www.restaurant.org/

September 30, 2026Episode 12426 min

Who's Doing Your Shopping? The Rise of AI Agents

Agentic commerce is changing not only where consumers shop, but who may be doing the shopping for them. As AI agents take on more of the discovery, comparison, and purchasing process, brands and retailers need to rethink how products are found and understood by both people and machines. In this episode, Liz Sertl chats with Kristen Rodgers , Director of Brand, Retail, Marketing and Advertising, and Sports Tech at Plug and Play . Kristen explains what agentic commerce means, how shopping has progressed from e-commerce to mobile commerce, social commerce, and now AI-assisted purchasing, and why consumers may be more willing to hand routine purchases over to an agent than emotional purchases that require more consideration. She also explains why brands need machine-readable product information as more consumers use tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini for product discovery. The conversation also covers the shift from search engine optimization to generative engine optimization, or GEO, and how longer, more contextual AI prompts give brands new information about what consumers want. Kristen shares how AI storefronts could change product search on brand and retailer websites, why businesses still want to own the purchase and post-purchase experience, and how sports organizations are using technology to support the fan journey before, during, and after an event. She also discusses digital twins and synthetic data as tools for testing how audience segments may respond to marketing, product, and business decisions, along with the AI tools she uses in her own work. In this episode, you'll learn: How agentic commerce shifts shopping from consumers searching for products themselves to AI agents helping discover, compare, and potentially purchase products on their behalf Why machine-readable product data and generative engine optimization are becoming more relevant as shoppers use AI tools for product discovery and recommendations How AI storefronts, digital twins, and synthetic data can help brands, retailers, and sports organizations better understand customer and fan needs and create more relevant experiences Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (00:53) Kristen's background and her role at Plug and Play (03:09) How sports tech connects player performance, fan experiences, and stadium technology (04:12) How commerce moved from e-commerce to mobile, social, and agentic commerce (05:45) What agentic commerce is and how AI agents can shop on a consumer's behalf (07:29) The difference between functional and emotional purchases (09:20) Why brands and retailers need machine-readable product information (10:00) The shift from SEO to generative engine optimization (11:58) How AI storefronts could change product search and discovery (16:23) How sports organizations are thinking about the full fan journey (18:52) How digital twins and synthetic data can support audience research and decision-making (21:19) Consumer expectations around data and relevant experiences (22:32) Kristen's favorite technology (24:20) Why Kristen wants to learn more about vibe coding and building her own AI agent Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Connect with the guest: Kristen Rodgers on LinkedIn Visit Plug and Play at https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/

September 16, 2026Episode 12335 min

From Records to Readiness: A Practical Path to FSMA 204

FSMA 204 brings new record-keeping requirements to foods on the FDA Food Traceability List, but the path to readiness is broader than a single compliance project. In this episode, Liz Sertl chats with Hilary Thesmar , Chief Science Officer and Senior Vice President, Food Safety, at FMI . Hilary explains how critical tracking events (CTEs) and key data elements (KDEs) fit into the rule, why each supply chain participant is responsible for its own records, and why companies need to be ready to provide FDA with an electronic sortable spreadsheet within 24 hours when records are requested. She also outlines practical first steps: form a cross-functional team, assess current systems and data, align around GS1 Standards, begin with ready suppliers and a small set of products, then expand as the process proves out. The conversation also covers data quality, warehouse and inventory system changes, supplier readiness, exception handling, and business uses for better traceability data, from returns and invoicing to labor and inventory visibility. It closes with a look at where AI may help future traceability work and Hilary's favorite use of AI outside the office. In this episode, you'll learn: How FSMA 204 makes each company responsible for traceability records tied to its own critical tracking events and key data elements. Why cross-functional coordination across IT, master data, food safety, regulatory, legal, suppliers, and customers matters for readiness. How better traceability data can support returns, invoicing, inventory management, labor review, and supply chain visibility. Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (01:07) Hilary's background and FMI's work on FSMA 204 (02:00) What FSMA 204 is and its path from 2010 legislation to the 2022 final rule (05:53) The foodborne illness outbreaks that led to the traceability rule (09:57) Why the 2028 compliance date is closer than it feels (10:54) The cross-functional lift required to prepare for compliance (13:03) How key data elements and critical tracking events work together (15:55) How GS1 US standards help map key data elements (19:15) Why starting small with a few suppliers and categories matters (22:53) Best practices for prioritizing normal processes over exceptions (25:54) Why progress matters more than perfection ahead of 2028 (29:03) The ROI and efficiencies available beyond compliance (32:08) Hilary's favorite technology and what she wants to learn next Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Connect with the guest: Hilary Thesmar on LinkedIn Visit FMI at https://www.fmi.org/

August 26, 2026Episode 12134 min

From RFID to Physical AI: Giving Everyday Assets a Digital Identity

Where did an item go, what happened to it along the way, and is it still in the condition a customer expects? In this episode, Reid Jackson chats with Amir Khoshniyati , Vice President at Wiliot . Amir explains how Wiliot describes physical AI for everyday assets: battery-free tags can give products and containers a digital identity, while Bluetooth Low Energy connections capture signals such as location, motion, temperature, humidity, and light exposure. That information can help teams see what happens between facilities where traditional tracking can lose sight of an item. The discussion also covers how physical AI can work alongside RFID, barcodes, QR codes, existing readers, ERP systems, and warehouse management systems rather than forcing companies to replace prior technology investments. Amir shares five core use cases—departure, receipt, condition, location and cycle count, plus visibility into reusable transport containers, and explains why food, grocery, CPG, automotive, logistics, healthcare, and 3PL operations are strong candidates for this approach. Looking ahead, Amir sees lower tag costs, broader deployments, and assets that may one day communicate with one another. For supply chain teams, the bigger idea is simple: better item-level data can support earlier decisions when products are delayed, misplaced, exposed to the wrong conditions, or headed to the wrong destination. In this episode, you'll learn: How physical AI can track an item's location and condition across the supply chain Why lower tag costs could expand item-level visibility across more industries How condition history can add context that inventory data alone may miss Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (03:23) Wiliot's physical AI platform for everyday assets (05:00) From IoT and ambient IoT to physical AI (09:01) Filling supply chain data blind spots (10:17) Brownout spots between facilities and in transit (12:26) Five core use cases for item and container visibility (14:48) Where Wiliot sees adoption across industries (18:05) How physical AI can coexist with RFID, barcodes and QR codes (22:10) Interoperability, standards and building on existing investments (25:01) What supply chains could look like over the next five years (29:52) Condition-aware perishables and product safety questions (31:54) Amir's favorite technology (32:41) What Amir wants to learn next Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Connect with the guest: Amir Khoshniyati on LinkedIn Visit Wiliot at https://www.wiliot.com/

August 12, 2026Episode 12028 min

From 10 Digits to 12: Inside the FDA's New NDC Format

The National Drug Code (NDC) is a critical identifier used throughout the healthcare supply chain, supporting product identification across manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, providers, payers, and data systems. In this episode, Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl chat with Ullrich Mayeski , Community Engagement Director - Healthcare at GS1 US . He explains the FDA's transition from the current 10-digit NDC format to a 12-digit format planned for 2033. Ullrich discusses why the change is happening, how the update will affect healthcare organizations, and why businesses should begin reviewing the systems, processes, and trading partner connections that rely on NDC data. The conversation explores the move toward a consistent NDC structure, the role of 2D barcodes, and how better product identification can support traceability, data exchange, and patient safety throughout the healthcare supply chain. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the NDC transition from 10 digits to 12 digits is reshaping healthcare product identification The biggest challenges manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and providers face as they prepare for the 2033 change How standardized data and 2D barcodes can improve product information, traceability, and supply chain communication Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (02:11) Ullrich's role supporting healthcare organizations at GS1 US (03:54) Why the National Drug Code is a critical healthcare identifier (06:24) Why the NDC format is changing from 10 digits to 12 digits (08:23) How the new format supports greater consistency across systems (10:49) Why the transition affects more than pharmaceutical manufacturers (13:32) The systems and processes organizations need to evaluate (17:27) How over-the-counter products are also affected (19:19) Why organizations should begin preparing now (23:36) How the NDC transition connects to traceability and 2D barcode adoption (26:21) How better data capture can support patient safety Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Connect with the guest: Ullrich Mayeski on LinkedIn

July 29, 2026Episode 11926 min

Building Food Traceability for FSMA 204 Compliance

Behind every piece of fresh produce is a complex supply chain working to ensure food reaches store shelves safely, and new traceability requirements are changing how that work gets done. In this episode, Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl chat with Christina Herrick , Produce Editor at The Packer , to discuss the realities of food traceability, the impact of FSMA 204 on the fresh produce industry, and why compliance requires far more than simply meeting a deadline. Christina shares why produce presents unique traceability challenges compared to other food categories, how labor shortages, evolving regulations, and fragmented supply chains complicate implementation, and why organizations of every size need to begin preparing now. She also explains why successful traceability depends on better collaboration, standardized data sharing, and understanding the unique needs of every participant across the supply chain. This is more than a regulatory requirement. It is an industry-wide effort to improve food safety, strengthen consumer confidence, and build more connected supply chains that can respond quickly when it matters most. In this episode, you'll learn: Why FSMA 204 is transforming food traceability across the fresh produce industry The biggest challenges growers, distributors, and retailers face as they prepare for compliance How standardized data sharing can improve food safety, recalls, and supply chain visibility Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (03:06) Why consumers rarely see the complexity behind food safety (05:00) How produce traceability differs from other food categories (08:35) Why traceability matters during recalls and outbreaks (10:01) Why compliance is not a light switch (11:07) How labor costs and regulations affect traceability investments (15:16) Why many companies don't know where to begin (17:00) The unique challenges facing smaller growers and distributors (20:18) Why every produce operation approaches traceability differently (22:18) Finding the right motivation for industry adoption (23:17) Why GS1 standards help simplify data sharing (24:35) Christina's favorite technology and what she wants to learn next Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Connect with the guest: Christina Herricks on LinkedIn Visit The Packer at https://www.thepacker.com/

July 15, 2026Episode 11843 min

Supply Chain 2050: AI, Robotics, and Trust in the Physical World

Supply chain transformation is no longer just about efficiency. It is about resilience, intelligence, and trust across every layer of the system. In this episode, Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl were at GS1 Connect. Melanie Hilto n sat down with Miguel Rodriguez Garcia from MIT , Frederik Bohn from Plug and Play Tech Center , and Lisa Morales-Hellebo from REFASHIOND Ventures to explore what supply chains could look like in 2050 and the challenges that must be solved today to get there. The conversation spans cybersecurity risks that now extend into physical operations, the rise of robotics in logistics, and the growing need for verified, trustworthy data across global networks. The guests also explore how interoperability gaps inside large enterprises slow progress, why collaboration remains one of the biggest barriers across industries, and how emerging approaches like AI agents and materials verification could reshape decision making. Together, they highlight that the future supply chain will depend on aligning technology, standards, and human behavior in ways that are still being defined. This is more than a discussion about emerging technology. It is an exploration of how supply chains must evolve into connected, transparent, and adaptive systems where data integrity, automation, and cross-industry collaboration determine long term success. In this episode, you'll learn: How cybersecurity is evolving from a digital risk into a physical supply chain challenge How robotics and automation are already reshaping warehouse and logistics operations Why data trust and verification are becoming essential for future supply chain systems Things to listen for: (00:00) Opening remarks from Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl introducing the GS1 Connect session (01:26) Framing the 2050 supply chain discussion and key themes (07:40) Cybersecurity threats expanding into physical supply chain operations (11:00) Robotics moving from experimental to real warehouse deployment (15:00) Trust and verification of physical materials through data and scanning (19:30) Collaboration challenges across industries and supplier ecosystems (23:10) Interoperability gaps inside large enterprise systems (26:00) AI agents, hallucinations, and the importance of data quality (30:46) Real world visibility innovations using highway camera data networks (32:38) The future vision of standardized machine communication and interoperability Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Connect with the speakers: Melanie Hilton on LinkedIn Miguel Rodriguez Garcia on LinkedIn Massachusetts Institute of Technology at https://web.mit.edu/ Lisa Morales-Hellebo on LinkedIn REFASHIOND Ventures at https://www.refashiond.com/ Frederik Bohn on LinkedIn Plug and Play Tech Center. at https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/

June 24, 2026Episode 11734 min

(Replay) What Retailers Can Learn from Carter's RFID Journey

Carter's has achieved a milestone that many retailers considered out of reach. In only three months, Carter's implemented RFID technology in 700 stores, boosting inventory accuracy at the item level while simplifying operations for store associates and improving the customer experience. In this episode, hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl sit down with Gina Maddaloni of Carter's , and Anna Marie Blackburn , formerly of Carter's, to discuss the company's RFID journey. They explore how the initiative gained support across the organization, the role RFID now plays in daily operations, and the business value it continues to deliver. This episode is a replay of our conversation with Gina and Anna, brought back for anyone exploring RFID, inventory visibility, and large-scale retail technology rollouts. In this episode, you'll learn: How Carter's achieved one of the fastest RFID deployments in retail Why RFID is no longer "too complex" or "too expensive" What's next as Carter's expands RFID use into its supply chain operations Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (01:29) Anna Marie and Gina's backgrounds (03:52) What RFID technology means for retail (06:47) The process of rolling out RFID across Carter's stores (13:21) RFID's impact on Carter's operational efficiency (17:49) RFID as a recruiting tool for store teams (18:54) Asset protection benefits and peace of mind (19:34) Expanding RFID into DC operations (23:49) What's next, Carter's move toward serialization (25:15) Advice for companies starting their RFID journey (22:16) Busting RFID myths: cost, complexity, and adoption (28:43) Favorite tech beyond RFID (31:36) What Gina and Anna Marie want to learn next Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Connect with the guests: Gina Maddaloni on LinkedIn Anna Marie Blackburn on LinkedIn Check out Carter's

June 3, 2026Episode 11642 min

Preventing Loss and Driving Revenue with Operational Analytics

Data might be abundant, but turning it into actionable insights is far more complex than it seems. In this episode, Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl chat with Russ Hawkins , President and CEO of Agilence Inc. , about how retailers, restaurants, and hotels are using operational analytics to improve revenue, control costs, and maintain compliance. Russ discusses how organizations can leverage real-time data to drive smarter decisions in areas like loss prevention, inventory oversight, and sales growth, all while enhancing the customer experience. He also explores the complexities of ensuring that store managers and frontline teams are aligned with broader company goals, emphasizing that success comes from balancing people, processes, and technology. This is more than just a tech upgrade. It's a continuous operational effort that relies on collaboration across leadership, operations, and analytics to deliver tangible results and lasting business impact. In this episode, you'll learn: How companies use data to increase revenue, manage expenses, and maintain compliance The importance of aligning internal teams and frontline staff with corporate objectives How emerging technologies like AI and RFID are shaping analytics and operational efficiency Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (01:38) Russ's background: from telecom to three CEO roles (06:34) The three things every retailer is really trying to solve with data (09:10) What internal compliance actually means (09:51) Make money, save money, be compliant (16:33) Using data to know who's upselling and who's leaving money on the table (19:37) The treasure trove already in your transaction logs (25:51) Getting the right product in the right place (30:18) Operations is a people problem (34:37) Where analytics investments go wrong (38:15) AI is exciting and terrifying in equal measure (40:59) What Russ wants to learn next Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Register for GS1 Connect 2026, happening June 9 to 11 in Las Vegas, and get 10% off with the promo code GS1USPOD10 at connect.gs1us.org . Connect with the guest: Russ Hawkins on LinkedIn Visit Agilence Inc. at https://www.agilenceinc.com/

May 13, 2026Episode 11539 min

Seasoned from the Start: Spice Sourcing, Tariffs, and Trust-Based Farming at Burlap & Barrel

Most people don't think twice about the spice jar on their shelf. But behind it is a supply chain that can pass through 20 different hands — and that's exactly where quality, safety, and accountability break down. In this episode, Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl speak with Ori Zohar , co-founder and co-CEO of Burlap & Barrel , about how they're reshaping the spice industry by sourcing directly from smallholder farmers across 22 countries. Ori shares how Burlap & Barrel built a transparent, trust-based supply chain — no formal contracts, just long-term relationships — and how that model has helped them navigate real-world pressures like the pandemic, tariffs, and rapid scaling. He also gets into the operational side: how GS1 Standards and barcoding became foundational tools for managing a 100+ SKU business across warehouses, retail, and direct-to-consumer channels. This is a story about innovation, transparency, and the power of human relationships in building a sustainable supply chain. In this episode, you'll learn: Why trust-based relationships with farmers outperform formal contracts How they responded to tariffs — without raising prices or passing costs to farmers The practical role GS1 standards play in managing a high-SKU, multi-channel business Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (07:13) Third-wave spices and why a broad lineup demands better tracking (09:44) The Dr. Salunke story: transparency and traceability in action (13:23) Why contracts with farmers don't work (19:11) How to handle tariffs without raising prices (31:55) Navigating turbulence with a values-first strategy (32:36) How GS1 standards power their warehouse and retail operations Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn Register for GS1 Connect 2026, happening June 9 to 11 in Las Vegas, and get 10% off with the promo code GS1USPOD10 at connect.gs1us.org. Connect with the guest: Ori Zohar on LinkedIn Visit Burlap & Barrel at https://www.burlapandbarrel.com/ Follow Burlap & Barrel on Instagram

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